An Alternative to Regulation: The Case for Public AI

Nicholas Vincent, David Bau, Sarah Schwettmann, Joshua Tan

Keywords: AI governance, responsible AI, public interest computing

TL;DR: Can governments build AI? We describe technical and policy challenges for public AI—publicly-accessible AI models funded and governed by public bodies such as governments—and outline a research roadmap for the ML community.

Abstract: Can governments build AI? In this paper, we describe an ongoing effort to develop "public AI"—publicly accessible AI models funded, provisioned, and governed by governments or other public bodies. Public AI presents both an alternative and a complement to standard regulatory approaches to AI, but it also suggests new technical and policy challenges. We present a roadmap for how the ML research community can help shape this initiative and support its implementation, and how public AI can complement other responsible AI initiatives.

Submission Number: 13